Sportsbooks, oddsmakers snubbing Bengals after Super Bowl run?

While speaking with reporters earlier this month, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton made it clear he and his teammates understood some saw the team's impressive run to Super Bowl LVI, where Cincinnati fell to the Los Angeles Rams, as little more than a "fluke" that won't be repeated during the 2022 NFL season. 

It appears oddsmakers and bettors are in the same boat. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio pointed out on Wednesday that reigning conference champions are often viewed as favorites to at least return to the subsequent Super Bowl at this time of year. However, PointsBet currently lists the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers atop the list of championship favorites at +750. A total of nine teams are above the Bengals, which check in at +2000.

Interestingly, the Cleveland Browns are also at +2000 even though they may have to start journeyman Jacoby Brissett at quarterback if Deshaun Watson is suspended for any portion of the campaign. Watson continues to face 22 civil lawsuits regarding allegations of sexual misconduct, and his status for this fall remains in question. 

Somewhat shockingly, FanDuel Sportsbook has the Browns at +2000 and the Bengals at +2200 to win Super Bowl LVII. FanDuel lists the Bills as the overall favorites at +650. 

"Going into last year, we knew we were good, but I think going into the playoffs, we knew we could win but we weren't really sure what it took," Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow said about the team's postseason experience on Tuesday. "We just went out there and played really hard and together as a team, and it worked out.

"Now, we know what it takes and we have that experience in our back pockets going forward."

For whatever reasons, many aren't convinced Burrow and company will have "what it takes" by the time this coming January rolls around.